Asbestos is a name given to a group of minerals which occur naturally as masses of long silky fibers. Asbestos is known for its unique properties of being resistant to abrasion, inert to acid and alkaline solutions, and stable at high temperatures. Because of these attributes, asbestos was widely used in construction and industry. Asbestos fibers are woven together or incorporated within other materials to create many products.

There are three main types of asbestos fibers:

• Chrysotile
• Amosite
• Crocidolite

People who work around or disturb asbestos are at risk for developing asbestos associated diseases.

Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) which can be crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder by hand pressure is known as friable asbestos. When friable ACM is damaged or disturbed it releases fibers into the air. Airborne asbestos fibers are small, odourless, and tasteless. They range in size from 0.1 to 10 microns in length (a human hair is about 50 microns in diameter). Because asbestos fibers are small and light, they can be suspended in the air for long periods. People whose work brings them into contact with asbestos may inhale fibers. A worker's family may inhale asbestos fibers released by clothes which have been in contact with ACM.

People who work or live near asbestos related operations, or work or attend school in buildings containing asbestos products are also considered at risk for developing asbestos associated diseases due to the potential to inhale asbestos fibers.

Once inhaled, the small, inert asbestos fibers can easily penetrate the body's defenses. They are deposited and retained in the airways and tissues of the lungs. In the alveoli, the location of gas exchange, asbestos causes the development of scar tissue. This thickening of the alveoli wall reduces the amount of oxygen available to the body. Because asbestos fibers remain in the body, each exposure increases the likelihood of developing one or more of the following diseases:

1. Abestosis
2. Mesothelioma
3. Other cancers

Asbestos causes cancer. Cigarette smokers exposed to asbestos, on the acerage are ten times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.

Asbestos is found in many manufactured products including sprayed fireproofing, mechanical (pipe and boiler) insulations, floor tile, sheet flooring, sheet rock, ceiling tiles, automotive friction products, rubber tile matting, rubber stair treading and risers, auditorium acoustic panels and sound proofing, gasket material, stage curtains, roofing materials, asbestos cement (transite) products (siding and piping), caulking, electrical panel insulation and wiring, fire brick, tar and others.

Finding out if you have a problem - is there asbestos in your building?

Asbestos is likely to be present if:

• the building was constructed or refurbished between 1945-1980; and particularly if it also
• has a steel frame; and/or
• has boilers with thermal insulation.

What you need to know:

• the location of the asbestos
• the form of the asbestos (lagging, ceiling tiles, partition board etc)
• the condition of the asbestos
• and preferably the type of asbestos (blue, brown or white)

Look at the original building plans, they might tell you if and where asbestos was used. Ask the leaseholder, or the architects if you can track them down.

You might need to arrange to analyze samples of materials that you suspect might contain asbestos. Do not break or damage material which may contain asbestos in an attempt to identify it. Samples should only be taken by suitably trained people.

Ontario Regulation 837/00, Regulation respecting Asbestos - made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires that employers prevent the exposure of employees to asbestos. If this is not reasonably practicable the law says their exposure should be controlled to the lowest possible level. Before any work with asbestos is carried out, the Regulations require employers to make an assessment of the likely exposure of employees to asbestos duct. The assessment should include a description of the precautions which are to be taken to control dust release and to protect workers and others who may be affected by that work. If you are employing a contractor to work in your building make sure that either the work will not lead to asbestos exposures or that they have carried out this assessment and identified work practices to reduce exposures.

Ontario Regulation 838/90, Regulation respecting Asbestos on Construction Projects and in Buildings and Repair Operations - made under the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires the employer to advise any workers where friable materials containing asbestos may be disturbed. For facilities containing ACMs, this regulation also requires the implementation of a Management Program, detaile under section 5, which included worker notification, asbestos awareness training, production and regular updating of an asbestos survey, routine inspections, and maintenance of ACMs (repairs or removals) as required.

At Air Earth and Water we endeavour to understand the unique requirements of each project through in-depth communication with the client. We then utilize expertise to best fit the needs of the client in a cost effective manner.

Service available include:

• Facility asbestos surveys
• Bulk sampling and analysis
• Preparation of abatement specifications and tender documentation
• Inspection and testing service during abatement projects
• Air Monitoring services
• Project Management
• Asbestos awareness and worker training

Air Earth and Water is a Canadian company, based in Simcoe, Ontario. The company was established to provide a wide range of environmental consulting services to clients with environmental concerns. Consulations are provided by Air Earth and Water and/or in conjunction with a network of specialized resources.

Air Earth and Water staff have been involved with all aspects of asbestos related projects since 1980. We have worked with all levels of government, the military, school boards, hospitals, private industry, banks, property management firms, real estate brokers and agents, and private individuals.

Project size varies from large multi-building sites such as military bases or universities to single family homes. At Air Earth and Water no project is too large or too small.

Please feel free to call if you have any questions regarding Asbestos or other environmental concerns. We will be pleased to provide a free (no obligation) quotation for any up-coming projects you may have.